Gabriela Barraza, a local El Pasoan represented by Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project, filed a complaint in state court to recover unpaid wages and other damages from local couple John and Lupe Garcia.

Ms. Barraza worked for the Garcias from September 2008 to February 2009. During this time, she cleaned their house, did their laundry, took care of their children, and cooked dinner for them, among other responsibilities. For over five months, she was at their house Monday through Friday without fail.

Despite her hard work, Ms. Barraza was only receiving $200 for an average workweek of 35 hours, a clear violation of federal wage and labor laws. The couple also refused to pay her for four weeks of work. In total, she is owed around $1,500.

“Workers must receive at least the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour,” said Chris Benoit of Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project, “This standard applies even if workers work in a home, in the fields, or as a day laborer.”

After 8 months of unanswered phone calls, Ms. Barraza looked to the Labor Justice Committee for assistance. The Labor Justice Committee (Comité de Justicia Laboral, or CJL) was started during the summer of 2009 to combat the high rate of wage theft that is rampant in El Paso.

Members of the Labor Justice Committee, who are all volunteers, hold weekly meetings that are open to any community member who has a wage claim case, and/or is otherwise interested in labor rights. During these meetings, committee members provide basic information on labor rights and work with new members to resolve their problems, using strategies as varied as phone calls and letters, to delegations and candlelight vigils to employers’ residences.

Despite the short time it has been in existence, the Committee has already won multiple cases, with one employer agreeing to pay $8,000 in unpaid wages. Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project provides legal support for the CJL.
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